davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24
Already Uncle Jack Crawford is tuning

Already Uncle Jack Crawford is tuning
his fiddle before his fire in prepare
ton for the demand for music he
knows is coming. | wish some of
nv readers could accompany me into
the room where the dancing was to take
place. Probably few city-bred people
can even imagine an old-time fireplace.
1t was immense; so large, that l once
heard planters house described as built
to chimney logs of wood five feet in
length were cast upon the iron dogs in
great heap, a green, sappy log always
holding the place of honor as backlog.
When nearly CARLOAD of wood was
roaring and swapping in this great fiery
cavern there was plenty of room for cosy
seat aoithin the fireplace; and often have
l sat there listening to the stories of
some old uncle, and feasting my eyes on
the hoecake which was gradually
browning in the ashes. The scene was
truly interesting, almost weird The great
logs snapped and cracked in the fireplace,
sending shower fsparks up the chimney
and diffusing not disagreeable odor OF
smoke in the room, the spicy smell OF
burning hickory wood. The tawny g are
of the blazing logs unites itself with that
of the bonfire outside which pours in the
window, and together they flood the
apartment with a weird light, making
one perfectly ready to hear the famous
double double, toll and trouble Of Mac
beth's witches come from the fireplace
The light falls upon group of chatter
ing, grinning negroes, eager tor the
dance, upon old men whose infrmities
render them able to look on only,
although Uncle Billy the very oldest of the
lot, AYERS his conviction that he can still
"Cut de pigeon wing better den any
niger in de room" The light also brings
into view very important parsonage, no
other than Uncle Jack Crawford, who,
trimming with importance, tunes and re-
tunes his fiddle until his hearers COM
mence to fidget. Last and least are the
inmates of the great house, master and
mistress and the young ''massas," anx-
iously waiting for the festivities to begin.
What can equal the wild hilarity of a
negro gathering? Absence of care must
be concomitant with real endowment
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24

will likely never return. Our plantation
was fair representative Of others, and
consisted of number of small cabins
built of logs, and scattered around like
the nucleus of small town. Every
cabin nearly had a pen in which one or
more hogs greeted the visitor with ex
pressiye grunts of welcome, while picka-
ninnies, ranging from the height of
flour barrel to that of a rolling pin,
rolled, crawled and lay about in pic
turesque confusion. Matrons with tur-
baned heads-a gaudy handkerchief al
ways formed this turban-shouted words
of warning and remonstrance alike at
pickaninny, chicken and pig. Against
the wall of these cabins one or more
coon or rabbit skins were to be seen,
nailed up to dry, looking like the coat of
arms of some mighty hunter as one ap..
proaches the house. In the midst of
these cabins was a larger house formerly
prosperity came another house erected
in a better location, and the old edifce
was turned over to the overseer. When
we dispensed with that functionary it
was turned over to the negroes and three
families resided therein. 1t contained
one very large hall room, which was
used for festive gatherings. A pleasant
incident of Christmas morning was
the distribution of presents. An
expectant group greets the master
as he appears laden, with shouts
of "Chris'mas gif, massa." Old men
leaning on stats, their hair white with
age, shout, diminutive pickaninnies,
ebony hued in marked contrast to the
white foreground, dance about and
shout, while matrons, often bearing yet
more diminutive pickaninnies in their
arms, smile from ear to ear and shout, too.
Handkerchiefs of the gaudiest colors,
clothing of various kinds, penknives,
sewing material and toys for the little
odes are handed to the delighted re-
cipients. AS / live, there is a set OF
strings for Uncle Jack Crawford's fiddle,
the musician of the plantation and
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24

morning 'befoh the wah." He opened
his eyes in response to cry of
Christmas gift, massa," and saw in
the dim twilight black head and
widespread mouth showing glistening
teeth. He replied, "All right, Uncle"
good humoredly, in the most cases and
turned over to resume his nap or arose,
and unheeding the keen edge of the Win
ter wind, threw open the window and
yazed out at the dawn of the nativity.
At the quarter there is not that
stir one might expect at the dawn
Of a great holiday. The Inhabitants
arise rather late, but their eyes gllsten
and their lips part in welcome to the
day. They are fatigued with the fes-
tiyities of last night, for Christmas Eve
Is celebrated with great zest at the quar-
ter. Until late or rather an early hour
the fiddle screamed and the banjo
thumped, while loud shouts of encour-
agement to the dancers filled the night
with clamor Besides, good deal of en-
joyment is before them, for the holiday
lasts all Christmas week.
Let US look at an old-fashioned slave
quarter, for it is thing of the past and
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24

do decide to do so they mean it.
The morning is usually given up to
surprise boxes, and after this is over thew
all flock into the streets to inquire Of
each other what their surprises have
been, and laugh over the perplexities
their gifts had caused The Dutch towns
on St. Nicholas Day, or rather the after
noon of the feast, are a sight to behold.
The peasants flock to the cities in their
quaint costumes, and the town becomes
one of great merrymaking. Large din
ners are given, and family reunions are
held. The poor, who have not been for
gotten, enjoy the day as much as any one.
JOHN :. SHRIyER.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24

neighborhood How his eyes glisten
and how his huge foot pats the ground
in time to mental tune of thanksgiving
as he receives these treasures! Then,
laughing, talking and singing, these, the
banniest and most contented OF Gods
creatures, returned to the quarter to
enioy the fare they have jointly or
singiy prepared in honor of the day, and
to enjoy it with zest that perhaps the
epicure will miss as he seats himself to
pates de toie gras and bottle OF cham
payne.
LIQUOR was not allowed among the
slaves. The master, without being a tenn
perance man. always adhered to this rule,
but when the exodus to the quarter TOOK
place Uncle Ned remained. That favored
and INDUCED servitor had been smiled
upon by fortune to lavish degree, Tor
his pockets are stuffed with presents UNI
til he looks like a balloon. Softly sing
ing to himself, the old man wendell his
way to the kitchen, and arriving there,
unmindful of the indignant glance
with which Aunt jimmy greets this intru-
sion on her domains, he proceeded IN a
identified shuttle to the cupboard. From
this receptacle he calmly took a pint
r.
he brought from his pocket an egg, winch
he emptied into the pitcher, returning
the she'll to his pocket in the interests
of neatness. Then, seating himself upon
a bench. he proceeded to beat the sugar
and egg together with c]atter that maze
itself heard all over the house, and brings
the master to the scene. he nods ap-
KNOWINGLY to Uncle Ned, and in preoc-
cupied manner places bottle on the
table and goes to the window. Uncle
Ned quickly rises, pours generous por,,
ton Of the contents into his pitcher, and
resumes his beating. The master then
takes up the bottle, apparent ~ obvious
to the fact that only suspicion OF ITS
contents remains, and departs, While
Uncle Ned, gazing at me at1ectlOnatelV,
ouafs the mixture, remarklng, Dat 5 de
ole nigger's aig-nOgg, honey, ana then
goes to the quarter. Every Christmas
this performance was gone through with
by the master and Uncle Ned.
The dav was spent in outdoor sports
chiefly; some leaped, some ran races,
some had battle of snow balls, while
Others of a sporting taste went rabbit,
hunting with their dogs. One and all
gorced themselves with hog meat, for
the negro loves pork. nile the turkey
NAV hold the throne in the great house,
in the quarter he bows to the supremacy
of the hog.
During the day some of the negroes
had gathered a great quantity of brush
which they piled in front of the
larger house of the quarter before
referred to. On this pile all the COM
bustible litter Of the plantation was
placed, and as soon as the shades
of night fell upon the
world the torch was ap-
piled With roar and a
crackle the flames shot
into the air like beacon
= light, giving
: notice that the
festiyitieswere
common ced
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24
TCODHTf0hted, 1871

The time we are celebrating Christmas
in America the people of the flat land OF
Holland have almost forgotten their day
of pleasure and good will. Christmas is
not celebrated in that land of wind mills
and wooden shoes on the day that we
hold our feast, but on St. Nicholas Day,
the 9Th of December. | remember llol-
land friend of mine related to me the old
legend and some of its customs.
The origin of the festival is found in
the time when the Spaniards reigned in
this low and beautiful country. 81. Mich
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24


labor over one box to find perhaps dia-
mOnd brooch or earrings, but when you
have to 90 through large number, one
for each of the family, it almost becomes a
days work. Following the example of
st. Nicholas. the sender of the present
never lets his name be known. A friend
of mine, Mr.. Rapp, of Amsterdam, told
me of funny experience he had on
St Nicholas Day. He was sitting in
his study all alone, and for wonder
thought he had been neglected. Still,
he thought as the day was not over
some one mi ght remember him. 1t was
not long before he heard the doorbell
ring, and looking out saw one of the dog
wagons standing in front of his door, and
on the cart was a large barrel. All,
har said my friend, Il have something,
ANYHOW" His servant brought the bar
rel into the room, and with the aid OF a
Ratchet he opened the head, to find it
full of what he thought at first was
butter He was wondering when he
would be able to eat it all, and began to
devise plans for sending it around to his
friends in the same mysterious way 1t
had reached him; but he thought per-
haps he had better taste it, and to his
surprise he found it was starch colored
with saffron. Then he knew there was
something else in the barrel besides the
starch, and he determined to find what
it was He called again his servant and
ordered number of buckets and pals to
be brought, and, much to the disgust of
his thrifty housekeeper, he began to empty
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24
IN LIGHTER VEIN.
AN APPROPRIATE NAME,

cold Seasoned Timber was in town to-
day. remarked a prominent deacon to his
wife.
Seasoned Timber.' she replied. ''Who
in the name Of sense is Seasoned TIMBER"
Mr.. COlIins.'
"That >tingy man! But why do you call
him that queer name?'
Because he never contributes anything to
the church. You know the poet says, Only
a sweet and virtuous soul, like seasoned tim
Der, never gives Collins soul is not par
ticularIy sweet or virtuous, but he never
gives"
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24
QUEER SIGHTS.
The Necessity of Securing the Very Best
Signal COlors.

The Necessity of Securing the Very Best
Signal ColOrs.
In these times, when signals are employee
so generally upon land and water, it becomes
a matter of interest to know what colors ar
best suited to this purpose by day and By
night.
The safety of the railway train depends
upon the engineers reading correctly the
signals which are set. Any mistake in color
or in position may be followed by fatal con,
sequences to himself and to the passengers
who are in his care. The pilot on the steam
boat is under like responsibility.
1t is surprising to be told, by writer WHO
is an experienced yachtsman, that dark
tanned sails are much more easily distln'
guished at night than are white ones.
The same remark holds true of buoys,
which are seen against the water and not
against the sky. In their case black can be
seen further and more distinctly than white
in the nighttime.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24
QU1PS.

Some ministers have a very hymn pressive
way of announcing their anthems.
The man who wrote "Hark, from the
tombs doletul sound" had probably been
listening to graves tone.
Walt Whitman is called "The good gray
poet" but it would give him more satistac-
ton ID he were read more and gray less.
A rapid method of travel is to attend balls
In this way you can go around the WhlrIed
several times in one evening.
GContrighted W. H. S.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24

mysterious Of actions and the most Sc
cret of plans are being devised
The night before St. Nicholas Day the
streets of all the Holland towns present
strange appearance. The numerous
carts drawn by dogs, which seem to be
the chief mode of carriage in Amsterdam,
in fact in all the large cities of Holland, are
loaded with boxes of all kinds and sizes.
The poor dogs trudge along YEARLY, and
now and then the women in their wooden
shoes belabOr them over the back with
heavy stick. If there is snow on the
ground the dogs find it easier, for the
little sleds dash merrily over the ice, and
the animals seem to enjoy the work, but If
the ground is bare it is hard pulling, for
the loads are never light, and often
heavier than are carried by two horses
in this country Boxes 90 to every house,
and every one seems to expect one
In the morning the family gather in
the parlor, when the task of opening
these strange parcels is begun. 1t gcncr-
ally falls to the lot of the father to take
off the lid He does so, and finds inside
another box, which upon opening re-
veals third He tires out soon, when
the mother tries her hand The boxes
being opened reveal paper OF another
parcel. She soon gives up the task,
after several endeavors to find something
else besides paper, or box lids, and after
vain attempts to reach the bottom Of the
box the parents give place to the chill
dren, who are anxious to try their hands
to tathOm the mystery.
remember being told by friend Of
mine that his family spent at least an
hour over opening one box before he
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24

thing hard, and pulling it out found
it was cleverlv devised box with a
secret spring. This second difficulty
almost staggered him, but by chance
he struck the hidden knot, the box flew
open, and revealed inside a pretty pocket
match safe. He laughed heartily when he
thought of the trouble to which his friend
had gone to hide away so small thing
in so large barrel.
1t is strange to what trouble some peo-
pie will go, but can say that the Dutch
find as much pleasure in preparing for
St. Nicholas Day as they do in celebrat-
ing it. The Hollanders are peculiar in
many things, and are not very quick
in adopting new ideas; but when they
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24
DIFFICULT REPORTING.
Some Mistakes Made in the Brilliant
Speeches of Great Orators.

Speeches of Great orators.
He who attempts to report fervid oratory
from memory alone should be possessed OF
sharp and accurate ears. There are orators
so swift of tongue that they even outrun
shorthand. Leslie Coombs. of Kentucky,
whose political speeches were like cavalcades
of wild horsemen, once said to waiting re-
porter, young man, hope you don't in
tend to try reporting me- On receiving an
affirmative answer he said, You might as
well attempt to report red-hot balls.
Rufus Choate, with his haste and tervor OF
expression, and swift, glowing eplnthieets' was
the despair of photographers. STILL ms
takes were made in reporting him when
were sometimes not to be justified, even oy
the haste Of the scribe.
Ofthese one of the most amusing belongs
to a speech made in Faneul Hall. MI.
Choate had quoted the we'll known WORDS
from "Othello' 80, 1ago! the pity OF II.
Iagow and one of the ablest reporters IN the
country set it down, "Oh, argue the pity OF
it, | argue .ho
The phrase was so printed next day, to the
nerpleSity of those who had not been present
on the occasion and heard the original YER
sion, and to the amusement OF those VIII
had.
In brilliant eulogv upon pubic man.
whose virtues were of the most sterills cii'l,
acter speaker is quoted as ha Tha Ta,ea
him the ''wrestler of bis age, / ne eApie'
sion really was the "Nestor of his age: u, 70
Still another story is almost too absurd to to
be believed, though the received argum m its
that truth is stranger than fiction IS IN rs
favor. An orator, having. referred to pup -
lie vice as a crying evil, was surpfflseu ~
see his neat and emphatic phraslng 1surlns
in print as a flying weasel -, 10
norter and insisted upon Choking at his
bumps," as Charles Lamb once suggested N
regard to another remarkable person. IS ho'
reCorded.-Erchdnge
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24
An Election-Day Memory.

Mrs. Densuade-I judge from your k az
tons, William, that your candidate nas
Mr.. D.-No; he has been Overwhelmingly
Mrs. D.-Why this spasm of laughter
Mr.. D.-You remember that slA1y,dha ct
note Of mine that Dabney held and tha'
was due to-day?
Mrs Dyes. -,a mt # in
MIR. Die made mistake ana Tl Put a III If II
the box in place of his BALLOT 'a1 s0' ~
olIt-Tld- Bits.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24
AN IMPRESSION CORRECTED.

"My dear said Mrs. McCorkle to her
husband. what is a tangent?'
"Atangent," replied McCorkle, lis right
line touching curve"
us it? l thought tan gent was the
editor-in-chief of leather factory"
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24
WHY IT WOULD NOT RUN.

Mr.. Fangle's watch won't run at all, and
he doesn't know what is the matter with it,"
observed Mrs. Fangle.
well, heard him tell Mr.. Cumso that
he'd had it in soak" replied Mrs. Cumso,
and [ know it just ruins watches to get any
water in their works."
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24

found anvthin that
resembled a present,
an d t h e n after a
search of thirty min
utes more he came
across a small jewel
case which, when
opened, displayed a
present for his wife.
1t is well enough to
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24

cOodlv store of the necessities of life left
upon his doorstep when he needed them
most and without q clue to the sender.
Again, tales have been told of how, when
almost starving or freezing, like a Heaven
sent angel, one of the good saints labor
ers would appear to relieve the wants Of
some lone widow or pennyless orphan.
Never did St. Nicholas appear as the
donor, never did he acknowledge having
sent them His aim was only to do good
and have his reward by seeing others
happy. There is no wonder, then, that
the Dutchmen love to follow his exam
pie. Penned in in this little country,
surrounded by water, and walled in by
dikes, the winter is long and hard for the
inhabitants of pretty Holland, and it is
we'll that some one following in the foot
steps of St. Nicholas takes il upon himself
to celebrate his day to relieve the wants
of the poor.
Hollanders themselves are kind hearted
and generous, but generally, on occasions
such as Christmas, one has too much to
think of for his own family to give more
than a passing thought to the poor, but
In celebrating St. Nicholas Day in Hol-
land one of the first and greatest pleas
ures seems to be to send some surprise to
the poor of the neighborhood. Perhaps
this helping the poor on the day of merri-
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24
SOMETHING HE MISSED,

'If the third King Of Israel was living
now ne would be a paragrapher for the
American press" remarked Jelico.
"Whv?" asked Afterall.
Because he was a solemn un.'
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24
A Hooked Nose.

man compelled to wear false nose had
it stolen one day as he was taking snooze.
He didn't miss it until he tried to snore. Tbs
thief was caught and jagged, but he declared
man Just because he had a hooked nose
Exchange.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24
Bill Nye.
The title

The title of Bill Nye's lecture is "Ih ne Ne"
South and it is said to be an adm,ra9l e. oe;
The only man in the country e enollteu o " At.
'.Cnestnuts" to this is MI. "rauy' "a Al
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24

ment has engendered the spirit of enjoy
ing the day with surprise and suspense,
for the Hollanders turn St. Nicholas Day
into one great round of mystery and ex-
citement.
The holiday season is celebrated much
after the fashion of the English and Ger
man Christmas, but the Hollanders have
no Christmas trees or evergreens. They
give themselves up for preparation of
surprises for the family, or their friends,
and for days and weeks, indeed, before
the fifth of the month every one seems
to be busy and mysterious. Each one
minds his own business, and the most
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24
A STRANGER TO HER.

James, who is that making such noise
in the kitchen ?' asked Mrs. Fangle of her
eldest son.
"Patertamilias, - replied James.
Peter Famiiiars. and who in the world is
that?'
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24
RESEMBIED A RAILROAD.

Mrs. Fangle-What a talker Mrs. Cumso
is, to be sure,
Mr.. FAngle-Yes; her conversation greatly
resembles some railroads could name.
Mrs. FangIe-WAy? Because it goes so
fast?
Mr.. Fangle-No, that's not it. Because it
lacks terminal facilities.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24
A Maan Old Man.

"Why, old man, what are you dong Oh q
o'. TT my only chance to get little lreS 81
air without taking the old lady along se0'
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24

olas was a Catholic saint
one ofthose good, benevolent,
philanthropic mortals-who,
for his good deeds, was can
onized, and his memory is
revered and loved by the
Hoilanders up to this time.
st. Nicholas devoted his time
to the relief of the poor. The
Hollanders speak in rever-
ence of him and tell how the
moor cOnntrYman found a
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24
BELOW THE SEA.
ST. NICHOLAS DAY IN THE FLAT
LAND OF HOLLAND.

The Origin of This Festival Dates Back
to the Time of Spanish Rule-An Occa-
sion for Helping the POor-Scenes In the
Streets of Amy City of the Country.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24
copyrighted. 1871

est sleep of the
night, the sleep
that comes just
before dawn, by
a sudden call,
a n d yet such
was the fate of
many a planter
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-24
IN THE QUARTER.
THE HOLIDAY OF THE YEAR ON
THE OLD PLANTATION.

Description of the Cabins of its Sable Oc-
cupants-Festivities of the Evening Be-
Decentralization of Presents to the
Servants-Games, Music and Dancing.